Xiaolongnu, on 2012-August-12, 00:38, said:
Is Pass or anything along the line an LA for West?
Without knowing West's peer group (i.e. is he any good), and conducting a poll of such peers, we can't say for sure. I think it is obvious that the UI suggests "something other than pass" over passing; it does not suggest 5
♣ over double, though it may suggest 5
♣ over 4
♣.
That said, if EW play split-range UNT (so it's either weak, or a very good hand like this 4-loser monster), W can bid 4
♣ over 3
♥ and E then knows he has excellent support, two cover cards in the majors (one guaranteed trick between them) and ruffing values in W's second suit. 5
♣ is then obvious.
I think 4
♣ is an LA, so I rule the auction back to W balancing with 4
♣: I do not believe E would fail to raise that, though, so overall "no adjustment". Note that it's plausible that, after 4
♣, E makes a slam try - a 4
♥ cue, for example - and EW are then likely to find 6
♣. I would be inclined to point this out to EW, in the hope that the embarrasment of missing a very biddable slam serves as a suitable PP.